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Charging for down time

3

37chief

Well-known Member
Location
California
I lost around a hour today. I had some blades ripped out on my flail mower on a big rock. I didn't charge for that time, later on I got stuck on a soft sand side hill, and lost about 15 minutes. I thought about keeping the clock going on that one. What do you think? I didn't charge any move time on this job, as it is fairly close to home. Most of my jobs are a flat rate price, so it makes no difference. I try and be fair as I can to my customers, even though they are not at the properity. Stan
 

charge them a little extra on the first time for checking for junk, rocks, etc....
Then if you miss sumpin and tear up your stuff, it's on nobody but you and no hard feelings...
 
personaly, i never charged for down time. figured it was all a part of the buisness. but i TRIED to charge enough i could afford at least some without getting too far in the hole.
 
You should either walk the entire area looking for any obstacles or adverse conditions and bid accordingly or have a clause in your agreement that covers hidden obstacles that cause damage or down time. You can't charge extra after the fact. When I need to rent an auger for the skid steer it clearly states that there is an extra charge for excessive wear on the auger teeth. If your machine breaks down or you get stuck is not the customers fault. If the customer causes the damage they should be responsible. An example might be if there was an old barb wire fence they never told you about and the old wire wrapped around you mower.
 
years ago I bush hogged a lot for a lady for a $75 flat fee. I hit a huge rock that broke 1 of 3 mower belts. Apparently, a new "set" was $300 and replacing 1 belt would not work since they stretch evenly. Well, I never replaced the belt, still use the mower, but learned about hidden objects.

Another time I mowed old hay on a guys field and just missed several cinder blocks his kids had set up bike ramps with. Last time I ever mowed there.
 
Problem with the rock, is I have been going around, or over it for years. Just wasen't paying attention. I found all the blades, just needed to replace the hangers. This is the first time I mowed this field, I used my disc in the past. The disc, and tractor just bounced over the rock, in previous years.
 
Problem with the rock, is I have been going around, or over it for years. Just wasen't paying attention. I found all the blades, just needed to replace the hangers. This is the first time I mowed this field, I used my disc in the past. The disc, and tractor just bounced over the rock, in previous years.
 
If the down time was due to his kids setting up a jump with concrete blocks, you're darn tootin' I'd charge for it- and for damage to the rig, as well. And if he didn't want to pay, well, that's what small claims court is for.
 
My hay baler will let the first cutting slide. BUT when he says to get the rocky spots cleaned up before Next Yr. He means it!, either he picks up and doesn't cut those spots or he just refused to cut that field next yr after that he charges /knife that gets broken, Most people get someone to get the big rocks picked up in a hurry.
Later,
John A.
 
Equipment failure you eat. Getting stuck for a short time he pays; charge for the 15 minutes. Stuck for a long time I would not expect payment.
 
That, to me, is the essential in the determination. If I know its there and I hit it, its on me. If the owner tells me its a clean field and I hit something then its on them. If they tell me that they don't know then I charge a higher rate per hour.
 
"Problem with the rock, is I have been going around, or over it for years. Just wasen't paying attention."

Your own statement answers your question. And I agree. No charge.

Rick
 
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